Behind the Axe: Portland Timbers play better in Toronto but suffer second loss, tickets continue to be scarce

Portland TimbersThe Portland Timbers played a better match on March 26 versus Toronto FC on the road, but the home team used a brace (two goals) from Javier Martina to send the Timbers to their second loss of the 2011 season. The Timbers need to regroup as they have two matches this week: March 29 versus Chivas USA in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup and April 2 in New England versus the Revolution.

The Portland Timbers played their second match of 2011 in a traditionally vocal and boisterous environment within MLS: Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto FC became an overnight sensation with raucous crowds and wonderful traveling support, but the product on the pitch hasn’t matched the fan passion. The team has struggled with offseason trouble surrounding the firings of their 2010 coach and general manager, Preki and Mo Johnston; the late hirings of the replacements, current manager Aron Winter and new player development executive Paul Mariner; and the offseason antics of star midfielder Dwayne De Rosario. Toronto FC also suffered a humiliating defeat in Vancouver, BC opening weekend, losing 4 to 2 to the expansion Whitecaps.

The Timbers, meanwhile, finished the preseason schedule undefeated and brimming with confidence as their collection of young talent and veterans seemed to be gelling quite nicely. Portland faced the defending MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids, and the veteran laden lineup made the Timbers pay for their struggles in the backline in a 3 to 1 victory. Looking at the Portland and Toronto match-up, it featured two teams searching for an identity starting with improved play on the pitch.

Featuring the same starting lineup that took the pitch in Denver, the Timbers showed determination in their opening possession and found plenty of open space to maneuver about. Unfortunately, Toronto FC would strike first against the boys in green off a counter play in the 14th minute. Toronto FC midfielder Maicon Santos launched a forward pass intended for De Rosario, who initially couldn’t catch up with the ball. He quickly recovered before the Timbers defense could mark him, and dropped a quick touch to an advancing Javier Martina. The Dutch forward was signed by Toronto FC just before the 2011 MLS season started, and Martina showed quality in putting a laser shot that Timbers goalkeeper Adin Brown couldn’t stop.

thedenimkit.comAdin Brown was injured trying to stop Javier Medina's first goal on March 26 in Toronto, and he was replaced by Jake Gleeson, the former Timbers U-23 goalkeeper and New Zealand international player.

The Timbers turned the tide for the remainder of the first half, putting the Toronto FC defense under near constant pressure with an array of runs and free kicks. Similar to many matches in 2010, the Timbers would control the possession and statistics of the match but fail to score a leveling goal. Toronto FC seemed content to allow the Timbers to attack at will, but the Timbers struggled to link together any real threats on Toronto FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei. The midfield, led by Peter Lowry and Jack Jewsbury, appeared more confident and aware of ways to put Toronto under pressure, and they dominated the middle of the pitch.

Forwards Kenny Cooper and Jorge Perlaza, both excellent in the Colorado match, couldn’t corral any chances dropped to them, while the Timbers also launched some distant shots at Frei that initially appeared troubling but instead slid by or over the goal. After the halftime break, Portland continued the relentless pressure and it seemed only a matter of time before they would find a way to beat Frei and the Toronto defense. However, Frei caught the Timbers napping in the 70th minute off a save when he struck a long goal kick forward that Martina was the first player to control. He one-timed the ball past a sprawling Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson to put the home side up 2 to 0, setting up a frenzied celebration for the Red Patch Boys and squashing the visiting side’s hopes.

Gleeson made his MLS debut at the half as Brown injured his hamstring on the first goal and couldn’t continue. With fellow goalkeeper Troy Perkins still recovering from ligament surgery and Brown’s status unknown going into March 29’s U.S. Open Cup match versus Chivas USA, the Timbers appear to have one healthy keeper available. MLS does have injury provisions allowing the club to sign a pool goalkeeper who has a contract with the league that fills in for teams in need, and the Timbers will announce sometime before the Chivas USA match if they will have Brown available as a backup or if they indeed are using a pool goalkeeper until Perkins is ready to go. The Timbers will travel to the Boston area this weekend to face the New England Revolution, so having an available backup for Gleeson will be paramount going into that fixture.

The Timbers continued to pressure Toronto for the remainder of the match, but in the end, they lost their second match by a 2 to 0 scoreline. Despite their improved play, which caused Coach John Spencer to remark “I don’t think the best team won today”, the Timbers suffered another tough loss to start the 2011 season. I was impressed with the play of defenders Eric Brunner and Steve Purdy who really stood up to the Toronto attack most of the game. Brunner’s play was especially remarkable, as I felt he has taken on the leadership role in back. While Rodney Wallace did play better at times against Toronto, he still had lapses in play that put his team in danger and he must be more consistent within the backline. I also would like the team to start David Horst at the other center back position, as I think he bring more to the lineup that incumbent starter Kevin Goldthwaite. While Goldie does have some veteran experience, both Colorado and Toronto exposed his lack of quickness and I think he will continue to be a liability.

View full sizeJennifer Kesgard, community bloggerEric Brunner has become the leader of the Timbers backline, and it's great to see him take such huge strides early in the 2011 season. He's been very vocal in organizing the defenders, and hasn't shied away from contact on his marks to keep them from running free in space.

It was great to see Jeremy Hall and Lowry rebounded from their sluggish performances against Colorado and play better. Nonetheless, they had issues connecting with Perlaza, Cooper and late substitute Brian Umony, especially near the goal box. Their communication and connective play must improve to help jump start the Timbers offense. Toronto even helped the cause in the 84th minute when defender Mikael Yourassowsky received a second yellow card for time wasting and was ejected, putting the home side down to 10 players. In the end, though, it was a dominant Portland performance in all aspects except for the scoreboard, and that matters most.

The Timbers now turn their attention to qualifying within the U.S. Open Cup, facing Chivas USA in the first round. With construction at JELD-WEN Field continuing through the first week of April, the match will be hosted at the University of Portland’s Merlo Field. Chivas USA lost in Colorado on March 26 and like the Timbers, they face a cross country trip after the Open Cup match as they will travel to Toronto FC on April 2. Both clubs have yet to announce if they will use their regular starting lineups or use the match to give younger players a chance to gain some experience, but at least for the Timbers, I think the Open Cup match should be used as time to give the starters more time to gel and learn how to interact with each other better. In most attacks against Toronto, I think the lack of familiarity hurt the Timbers at points.